GEOGRAPHY

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The country has three distinct zones: the north, the central area and the sough coast. The northern area is flat, very wet and covered with rainforests, which are virtually inaccessible for lack of roads. This area contains most of the country's vast forest reserves, which represent about 10% of Africa's total and are the second largest in Africa after Zaire, covering over 60% of the country. Forest exploitation in the area is increasing at an alarming rate. According to one study, however, if colonization for agriculture can be avoided, sustainable harvesting promoted and deforestation kept at existing levels, there is reason to be cautiously optimistic.

The area just north of Ouesso is most noteworthy. It is in the same biosphere as the contiguous Sangha Reserve in south-western CAR and has the highest density of elephants in the country. Like that reserve, it is also full of lowland gorillas, bongo, various kinds of monkeys and many other animals native to the rainforests. While two other areas in the Congo are listed as 'parks' or 'reserves', this area, which is still being mapped out for the establishment of a potential park, is the only one being afforded any protection whatsoever. That's because since the late 1980s, Wildlife Conservation International (WCI) has been working to protect the area. Because of WCI, it is now possible to visit the area, usually on week-long treks through the rainforest with Pygmy guides.

The central area, by contrast, is a succession of rolling green plateaus, with panoramic views, interrupted by valleys cut with deep gorges by rivers flowing towards the Congo River. The most spectacular area is the Reserve de Lefini, which is some four hours north of Brazzaville along the major northsouth route. The treeless rolling hills in this area are simply breathtaking - don't miss it!

The central plateau is also the Congo's breadbasket, particularly the 320-km-wide Niari Valley north-west of Brazzaville. It is largely savanna, making agricultural development easier. Roads in the plateaus are relatively good, and the altitude, varying between 500 and 800 metres, makes the climate more bearable.

The coastal plain is flat and drier and is the coolest area in the country. Sizeable offshore petroleum reserves have helped make the port of Pointe-Noire the country's second-largest city. Building roads through the thick vegetation is very costly so the road system is bad, especially between Pointe-Noire and Loubomo on the road to Brazzaville. Consequently, the railway plays a critical role, perhaps more so in the Congo than in any other country in Africa. It's also why three out of four Congolese reside near the 515-km stretch of track.

The Congo River, with the second-highest water flow in the world, also plays a critical role. At Brazzaville, it forms a lake-like expanse called Stanley Pool, which measures 33 by 23km and separates the city from Kinshasa. It then turns into rapids for most of the remaining journey to the sea. Steamers plough the river northward from Brazzaville towards Ouesso via the Sangha River tributary and towards Bangui via the wider Oubangui River tributary, providing a critical link to the remote northern region.
Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit

Geography Facts

Location: Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean between Gabon and Zaire

Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World

Time: Time in the Congo is GMT plus one hour

Time Zone Converter

Area:
total area 342,000 sq km
land area 341,500 sq km
comparative area slightly smaller than Montana

Land boundaries: total 5,504 km, Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Gabon 1,903 km, Zaire 2,410 km

Coastline: 169 km

Maritime claims:
territorial sea 200 nm

International disputes: long segment of boundary with Zaire along the Congo River is indefinite (no division of the river or its islands has been made)

Climate:
Tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator

Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin

Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, natural gas

Land use:
arable land 2%
permanent crops 0%
meadows and pastures 29%
forest and woodland 62%
other 7%

Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1989)

Environment:
current issues air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; deforestation
natural hazards NA
international agreements party to - Endangered Species, Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

Note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe Noire, or along the railroad between them